Homestead, Fla. – For the past month, crews from many National Park Service areas have worked on incident management teams side by side with the staffs of the parks, preserves, monuments and seashores of Florida and the coastal Atlantic parks as they recovered from the impacts of Hurricane Irma. The resiliency of the local park employees who have continued to work despite personal hardship has confirmed the faith of NPS employees from across the country that the parks community is a family and that it is strong. America’s national treasures are in good hands. The NPS is grateful to the many Americans who have expressed their concern and support. As facilities and trails continue to open, the NPS is extending a hearty welcome back!

The public is reminded that some areas within the parks remain closed to all use, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, due to safety concerns during cleanup operations. As these areas reopen, please be alert for water on roads, particularly during heavy rains. Debris may still wash onto roads and trails.

This will be the final update from the Intermountain Incident Management Team. Information about the ongoing recovery effort in the parks can be found via each park’s website below.

The Homestead visitor entrance is open to Flamingo. There are no facilities available at this time. Portable rest rooms are available. Boats may now be launched at the Flamingo ramps. Night closures will remain in place. The roadway is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Nighttime closure is at West Lake. Gas and food services are not available.

Utility crews continue to stabilize water treatment facilities in Flamingo.

The park’s water system is not operating in the historic area of the park. Water is not available in and around Fort Pulaski and the visitor center comfort station is closed. Portable restrooms are available.